SATURDAY, MAR 23, 2002 - Reminiscing Asia

In the fall of 1995, Jen and I studied in Asia for one quarter. These were some of the most rewarding experiences of my life. The foreign quarter was designed around four classes and a seminar to be taken in the context of experiencing the country while studying it. They included Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China, and visits to 20 cities within them. In between, I took two separate trips to Korea to visit my folks.

Back in the States, it took over ten weeks to feel re-acclimated to American, Midwestern, and small campus cultures. I remember my thoughts clearly while sitting in classes the first day: Why am I here? What's the point of all this?

Some of that was cultural shock. Some, a misguided holier-than-thou attitude. But most of it was the downside side of experiencing something profound.

After college, Jen and I were uncertain of our paths. I took an internship in Boston, and she returned to Japan to teach English for eighteen months. Ironically, our love of Asia nearly ended us.

It seems like not much has happened in the last seven years. Of course that's wholly untrue, but until spending a quiet moment reflecting on past events it's easy to believe that.

On occasion something triggers those memories and I step outside of myself. It could be looking back through the nearly 1000 pictures we took. Or a conversation with someone new who's tasted something similar. Today, it was Lori's blog about her experiences teaching English in Korea.

FRIDAY, MAR 22, 2002 - Spring has Sprung

Old Man Winter has finally lost his leathery grip. Though it was only a blustery 20° degrees today, the first buds still poked through barren branch ends.

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions because the signs of a new year starts with the spring. I'm ready.

WEDNESDAY, MAR 20, 2002 - The Sell Out
I didn't eat anything until 7pm tonight, and I as wicked stahvin'. On my way to the gym, I passed a McDonald's and the shit was calling me like crack. Just calling me... so I went to it.

The fries were so hot that the salt liquified onto the potatoes. Mmmm...!

Total fucking sell out.

* * *
My friend Jesse e-mailed me pictures of a baby moose that's been hanging around his yard in New Hampshire this week. No shit, a moose.

SUNDAY, MAR 17, 2002 - The Weekend Wrap-up
Like most weekends this winter, this one was pretty low key. I didn't do much but ended up droppin' a few clams. Funny how that works.

1. Boston Rock Gym, Friday - I'm getting pretty good at this stuff. Though you can't break broom sticks on my abs yet, I've lost 10 pounds and gone down a pants size. Not bad for a kid who was afraid of heights and had a bum back.

2. Fenway, Saturday - First, we met at The Linwood Grill, a barbeque joint near the ball park. Afterwards, we went to see The Time Machine. I wish I had a time machine so I could reclaim the two hours I'll never get back. Too bad, this movie could have been pretty cool. What a complete waste of Jeremy Irons, too. I guess a guy's gotta eat.

3. I rented The One starring martial arts star Jet Li. Apparently, Jet Li trailers are always better than Jet Li movies. The last sentence was better contstructed than the plot of this movie.

4. Our VCR died, so we bought a Sony SLV-N55. Even though analog tapes are sooooo 1993, how else could I tape HBO? I'd get a TiVo if they weren't so evil.

Amy, I've got a bunch of Sopranos and Sex in the City tapes with your name on 'em.

5. Six Feet Under - I didn't think it was possible, but Season Two is going to be better than the first. Episode 3... what a ride! I'm emotionally spent.

SATURDAY, MAR 16, 2002 - Meat and Cell Phones
Someone accused me of being a little weird today. The context was about my reduced meat intake, to near-nothing; and that I don't like talking on cell phones. In the past, this person's made disparaging comments about how much I clean my house and wash my hands, as if I were Howard Hughes.

Odd. I thought those were all pretty sensible things. I suppose I could empathize, if I based every decision on what a hassle it was going to be to me later.

WEDNESDAY, MAR 13, 2002 - Tired... and Sorry
I've been writing and deleting entries lately. I'm busy with tasks that are of the have-to-do and not the like-to-do variety. Besides, I'm afraid I haven't exactly been buckets of fun lately.

Thank Christ the sun is in the sky later each day. Thoughts of bludgeoning people with a pillow case of rusty nails are starting to subside. But not you, friend. You, I have special plans for. All in time... all in time. I'd tell you who, but it might get me fired.

You see, I have this condition. I'm not sure if I've told you yet...

MONDAY, MAR 11, 2002 - An Eye on the World
There are some people that just have it- the ability to see things. I thought this photograph was stunning.

* * *
Matt has redesigned his site and added a journal. You can find a list of his writing in the compendium. I totally had to look that word up.

FRIDAY, MAR 8, 2002 - The Can Tab, Cambridge, MA
I am in small part envious, but immeasurably grateful that I am not the thinning-haired Harvard Business School prick that told the bartender, "Don't ever put a straw in such fine scotch!" That'll make an equally bland story someday over power lunch.

Coincidentally, I bought Wall Street on DVD today.

TUESDAY, MAR 5, 2002 - The Savannah Trip
At first glance Savannah's a town that could easily be overlooked. The town, proud of its isolationism, considers itself different than its fellow Georgian neighbors. With no direct routes by plane, train, or boat, you can see how and why this happened over the centuries. Scratch the surface and the quirks that lie beneath reveal themselves.

In Franklin Square, there is a group of men that commiserate while waiting for their cell phones to ring. These enterprising lads have reportedly posted flyers around town advertising their willingness to do odd jobs, from picking up dry cleaning to cleaning gutters.

Another interesting aspect of Savannah is that it claims to be the second most haunted city in America; behind Salem, MA. That's what a Savannah College of Art and Design friend tells me, anyway. In one case, lore has it that a prostitute was murdered in what is now her dorm. Students claim that they have heard the clip clop of her high heels in the halls and stairways. There are hundreds of stories like this, but none that I've heard first hand.

Points of interest:

• Amazing residential architecture

• Historic district focuses on 21 walking squares

Things to forget:

• Still fightin' the War

• Obsession with St. Patrick's Day

Movies shot in Savannah:

• Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

• The General's Daughter

• The Legend of Bagger Vance

Other Resources:

• Web-- visit-savannah | savannah.com

• News-- Savannah Morning News

• Grayline Tours (Savannah)

MONDAY, MAR 4, 2002 - Georgia on My Mind
Back from the dead, sort of. Technical problems keep me from posting. Details of my trip to Georgia are forthcoming.

FRIDAY, MAR 1, 2002 - Sweet and Low Country
The saccharin facade of civility after 911 is over, and it's been over for a long time. Even so, the people of the Northeast retain a particular notariety in this arena. Some people call this being "edgy"- sometimes pronounced "asshole". In case you've had your head buried in fucking pile of sand, here's what's been happening in my neck of the woods. Oh, was I being a prick?

• Grocery Line Tiff Rings Up Harried Shoppers' Raw Anger

• Hockey Dad Sentenced in Case

* * *

I'm going to Savannah, GA for a long weekend. To be honest going to the deep South's got me a little troubled. Let's hope that Savannah's the "art community" that I've heard that it is. If we come across a Klan rally, my buddy Andy's volunteered to paint me in white face. He's sure a pal.